Slitted resilient closure for containers



J. M. ADAMS 5 2,585,527

- SLITTED RESILIENT CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Feb. 12, 1952 Filed June 24,1948 .llllmlh I N VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 12, 1952 A UNITED 'STATES PATENT o -1:1

SLITTED RESILIENT CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS I John M. Adams, Atlanta, Ga.Application June 24, 1948, Serial No. 34,882

This invention relates to ,a closure for containers from which pastes,liquids, powders, and like materials are to be dispensed.

Many contrivances have been suggested for more easily and eificientlydispensing materials from collapsible containers, but these have notbeen entirely satisfactory, some of their more common deficiencies beingthat they must be removed from the containers in order to permit thecontainer contents to be dispensed, and thus are too often contaminated,misplaced, or lost; or their high cost of manufacture prohibits theiruse with inexpensive containers, such as collapsible tubes; or they failto prevent leakage of container contents.

My invention contemplates the elimination of many of the shortcomingsheretofore associated with such devices, and has as an importantobjectthe provision of a container. having novel means for controlling thedischarge of pastes, liquids, powders, and similar materials fromcontainers therefor.

Another object is to provides. novel closure device which may be readilysecured to and removed from containersjwhich is simpletooperate,eflicient in its operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object is to provide a novel closure structure forcontainers whichwillprevent the entrance therethrough of foreign matterwhich might contaminate the container contents.

My invention in all its aspects will be best understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings together with the detailed descriptionthereof. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of my invention asapplied to a paste 0011-. tainer;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the container closure indetail;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of. a closure cap which forms part of myinvention;

. Fig. 4 is a'plan view of a collared neck element used in conjunctionwith the closure cap of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the closure cap of Fig. 3, along the line55;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the closure'cap of Fig. 3, mounted on thecollared element of Fig.4, so that the major .axis of the collaredelement is parallel to the incision l5 of the closure cap of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of .the'structure shown in Fig. 6, with the majoraxis of the collared element of Fig. 4 perpendicular. to the incision l5of the closure cap of Fig. 3'; and

7 Claims. (Cl. 222-490) Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of anotherembodiment of the invention. My. invention, generally, contemplates adispensing neck structure which may be screwed or otherwise secured tothe end of a container, and which has a rotatable cap formed of adistortable material which cooperates with an oval portion of thedispensing neck to open orclose a slit in the cap. i

The invention is exemplified in several embodiments hereinafterdescribed. However, it is to be understood that these areillustrativeonly,

- and that they are not to be construed as limiting the invention to anyspecific form, except as may be required by the claims appended hereto,since modifications within the scope of my invention will readilypresent themselves to those skilled in the art.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 7, a container ll, which may be acollaps: ible tube, as illustrated, has a collared neckelement l2 screwed to the discharge endthereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and2. A cap I3 is rotatably mounted on the neck l2 and covers the dischargeorifice l l therein. The neck element I2 is made of a rigid materialwhich may be suitably plastic, glass, metal, or the like, and has a bodyportion [6, neck portion I1, and collar l8, which collar projectslaterally beyond. the neck l1 and is shaped generally in the form of anoval having a major axis l9 and a minoraxis 20 (best shown in Figs. 2and 4).

, The-cap I3 is made of 'aresilient'distortable material such as, forexample, rubber, and is providedwith an incisionl5 through the end ofthe cap I3 opposite the neck-receiving end thereof. The cap [3 isfurther provided with a recess 2| in the body thereof for receiving aportionof the neck element l2,.the recess 2i having a cross sectionwhich is diametrically similar to, but somewhat smaller than, the collariii of neck element 12. The inner'wall' section 24 of the cap I3 ispreferably sloped inwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, in order to effectuate auniform gripping of the'neck portion ll of neck element l2. The flangededges of; the collar 18 are receivable in a groove 25 which bounds atleast a portion of the periphery of the cap recess 2|, the groove beingpreferably narrower than the flanged edge of the collar IB forobtaining'a tighter fit. I p

, The incision I5 is cut through the end'of the cap l3 opposite thecollar-receiving portion thereof, so that it runs along in the directionof the longer axis of the recess 2l,.as shown in Fig. ,6. .Withtherelative positions of collar l8 and cap l3'as shown in Fig. 6. thesides of the incision l5 are closed due to the outward pressure appliedagainst those edges of the cap 13, which are generally along the longeraxis l9 of the collar [8, and consequently against the sides of incision15. Since the incision [5 in the cap I3 is preferably cut through with anarrow sharp implement, and since the natural resiliency of the rubberforming the body of the cap I 3 provides enough pressure against thesides of the incision [5 to keep the incision substantially closed whenthe cap is not mounted on the neck l2, it is readily seen that theadditional pressure against the sides of the incision it, caused bymounting the cap 13 over the collar H, as shown in Fig. 6, furtherincreases the proximity of the sides of the incision 15 to each other.With the element-i. PQSiEiQI Ed; as in Fig. 6, this pressure on thesides of the incision l5, together with the snugness with which theedges of the groove 25 engage the edges of the collar l9, and thesimilar relationship of the sloped walls 24 and neck 1'! (Figs. 2 and5), is sufficient to prevent the contents of container H, for example,tooth paste, from passing through the incision t5, even when asubstantial amount of force is exerted on the tube II. For the samereason, ingress of foreign matter through the cap I3 is likewiseprevented.

By turning the cap l3 approximately 90 so that the relative positions ofthe cap 13 and the r collar I8 are as shown in Fig. 7, whereby the majoraxis l9 of the collar 18 becomes substantially perpendicular to themajor axis 26 of the recess 2|, the combination of tension andcompression forces acting on the cap I3 opens the incision l5, as shownin Fig. 7.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in Fig. 8, wherein acontainer 27 isprovided with a hollow neck 28 substantially oval inaxial cross-section, and a cap 29 formed of a resilient flexiblerubber-like material. The cap 29 is equipped with a recess St forreceiving, gripping and holding neck 28 of container 21. The recess 3|has a cross-section which is generally ovaland whose periphery isgeometrically similar to, but somewhat smaller than the periphery oftheoval cross-section of neck 28. Furthermore, the inner walls of therecess 3I'are preferably sloped inwardly to provide a better grippingsurface at the neck-receiving end of the cap 29. The cap 29 is likewiseequipped with an incision 32 which entersthe recess 3|, and which runsin the direction of the major axis 33 of the recess 3|. For conveniencein rotating the cap there are provided lugs 34, as shown.

In operation the cap 29 is mounted on the neck 28 so that the long axesof each are parallel with respect to each other. In this position theincision 32 is closed and precludes the passage of materialstherethrough. Rotating'the cap 29 approximat ly 90 results in the sidesof incision 32 being stretched apart to permit discharge of the contentsof the container 21.

For convenience in gripping the cap 29 there may be provided ears orlugs 34 suitably secured to the sides of the cap or formed integraltherewith I Although I have shown certain specific, elements intheforegoing embodiment of my in? vention, it is not intended to, excludetherefrom numerous. modifications which will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, though I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 acollared, neckj l2v which is screwed onto, a, container H, it is, to, beunderstood thatthe. neck 12 can be made an integral part of thecontainer ll, or secured thereto in other ways. Furthermore, inconnection with the groove 25 shown in Fig. 5, it is to be understoodthat this groove may be formed as part of an unbroken periphery withinthe recess 2| of the cap I3, or it may be formed only along a portion ofsaid periphery. It is likewise clear that gripping means for the cap 13and 29 may be other than those shown, such as, for example, serrationsin the outer sides of the caps, cross-hatching of the sides, and thelike, and though I have described and shown my invention as embodiedforuse with a specific container, viz; a collapsible tube, it isobviously applicable to other types of containers.

The invention above described provides a simple and eflicient means forscaling in and releasing the contents of containers. It is adaptable, asis readily seen, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 7, for repeated usesince once a container has become empty the device can be readilyremoved therefrom and applied to a new container. Furthermore, itpossesses a distinct advantage over the closure caps which are commonlyused with such containers as tooth paste tubes and the like, in that itis unnecessary to remove the cap from the container in order to dispensethe contents therefrom, thus eliminating the annoying consequences of alost or misplaced cap.

Another important advantage lies in the effectiveness of the sealcreated by the novel construction and operational relationship, to eachother, of the dispensing neck and the closure cap, which preventsleakage from the container and ingress of foreign substances into thecontainer.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container having a main body portion, a hollow neck threadablysecured thereto, an oval collar connected to and diametrically widerthan the said neck, and a rotatable cap for said collar formed of aflexible material, one end of said cap having an oval opening extendinginto the body of the cap to form an oval cavity therein, the oppositeend of the cap having an incision therethrough in the direction of thelongest crosssectional diameter of said oval opening.

2. A container having a main body portion, a

' hollow neck portion opening into the main body portion, an ellipticalcollar threadably secured to and wider than, said neck portion, and arotatable cap therefor, said cap being formed of a flexible material;one end of said cap having a crosssectional elliptical opening extendinginto the body of the cap to provide a cross-sectional elliptical cavitytherein, the major and minor axes of said opening and said cavity beingsmaller than the corresponding axis of said collar, and

-- the opposite end of said cap having an incision therethrough in thedirection of the major axis 75 responding dimensions ofsaid collar, andhavslit in the end of the cap opposite said opening.

4. A container having a hollow neck elliptical in axial cross-section,and a rotatable cap therefor, formed of a flexible material, and havingan open recess elliptical in axial cross-section therein, the saidcross-sections being geometrically similar and the major and minor axesof the first cross-section being greater than the corresponding axes ofthe last said cross-section, the inner side walls of said recess slopinginwardly to the said recess opening whereby to form an openingdiametrically smaller than the said neck, and an incision through theend of the cap opposite the said recess opening, in the direction of themajor axis of said recess.

5. In a container having a hollow neck, an adapter for the neck formedof a rigid material open at both ends and threadably connected to theneck and having its own neck portion and an elliptical collar portionconnected to and diametrically wider than said adapter neck portion, arotatable cap for the said adapter, formed of a flexible material andhaving a recess, elliptical in axial cross-section therein, the majorand minor axes of said recess being smaller than the corresponding axisof said collar, and an incision in the end of the cap opposite saidrecess opening, the said incision running in the direction of f themajor axis of said cavity.

6. In a. container having a hollow neck, an adapter for the neck formedof a rigid material open at both ends threadably connected to the neckand having a neck portion and an elliptical collar portion connected toand diametrically wider than the said adapter neck portion, a rotatablecap for said adapter formed or a flexible material, one end of said caphaving an opening extending into the body thereof to form acrosssectional elliptical recess therein, a groove in the body of thecap forming the peripheral boundaries of an ellipse cross-sectional ofthe recess, the major and minor axes of said groove crosssectionallyelliptical recess being smaller than the corresponding axis of saidcollar, and an incision through the opposite end of said cap in thedirection of the major axis of said recess.

'7. A paste dispensing package comprising a container for the pastehaving an open-ended hollow neck elliptical in axial cross-section forpassage of paste therethrough, and a rotatable cap therefor formed of arubber material and having a recess opening into one end thereof, saidrecess having an axial cross-section diametrically similar to butsmaller than the first said cross-section, the inner side walls of saidrecess sloping inwardly to define the opening of said recess so thatsaid opening is diametrically similar to but smaller than correspondingcross-sections of said recess, and an incision in the end of the capopposite the neck-receiving opening, said incision running in thedirection of the longest axis of said recess.

JOHN M. ADAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,070,689 Irrgang Aug. 19, 19131,696,506 Smith Dec. 25, 1928

